The Platinum Ticket by David Beynon

Monday, 10 August 2009

At home with the kids this week (last week they had a day camp that allowed me to get a little work done). With a pair of bright and high-energy kids I have certainly been challenged to keep them busy and interested. More often then not, I fear, I've relied upon the computer and that other electronic teat to keep them entertained. Right now, the boy is watching Rocky and Bullwinkle on the TV as I type - I suppose there's worse stuff he could be watching. My daughter has announced she's bored and has hightailed it upstairs to read. Piano practice and multiplication table review is still on the agenda for this afternoon.

Earlier, as an excuse to get out of the air-conditioning on this humid day, we went Letter Boxing (or, more accurately, Atlasquesting). - Here's the website. We have but a single letter box right in town although I suspect letter boxing's cousin - geocaching - has a couple of treasures locally. We sought out and found Fergus' single box as a diversion and a reason to get in w walk for the dog.

Taking care of the kids makes it difficult to get any actual writing done, but during those blessed times when they occupy themselves or, miracle of miracles, actually play with each other without fighting, I have found time to ruminate upon the 3 Day Novel Contest.

The entry form has been sitting on the printer's output tray for a few days now. I've walked by it but haven't been of a mind to fill it out. Yesterday and today I've let a story that's been rattling around in my head for a couple of years take centre stage. I've been considering a beginning that, in my mind at least, works. I have even formed a few scenes in my mind's eye. The thing, however, that made me grab that entry form and fill it out was an almost continuous string of dialogue that was going through my head for the last few days. It's very good dialogue.

So - barring any illness or emergencies between now and Labour Day Weekend, I will be participating in the 3Day Novel Contest this year. I won't disclose too much right now but I'm thinking something Mythic and Psychological set in the wilds of Northern Ontario.

Gotta go - my daughter has found a remote control train that I was sure had "accidentally" found the garbage long ago. I can hear the annoying electronic whistle and it threatens to drive me mad...